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Mimi’s secret garden patch

Just when it seems that the hot summer is never ending, we can at last feel
that Winter is round the corner. Now it is time to shuffle the pots around
to match the gentler sun and light conditions, and bring some colour to
neglected areas like under our washlines or around our water tanks.

I have a washline that is fixed onto the wall and gets morning sun, and underneath it I
have put 5 large round containers – filled with an assortment of herbs, and larger more
mature cacti that don’t mind the morning sun. One pot has a Basil Bush which grows up
every year to about half a metre, it lets off a lovely fragrance of basil while the clothes
are on the line. I don’t think that many people bother about beautifying their washing
area, which is a pity because it can look so pretty and be practical too.
Near my washline is our JoJo, and something I have discovered is that the tank’s water is
beautifully cool – no matter what the weather! I started putting some of my good spec-
imens of cacti around the edge of the tank as well as a Bay Leaf tree. The echeverias in
particular enjoy being next to it – maybe because it is not like a hot brick wall?
Echeverias seem to thrive in the sun, and although they can be susceptible to bugs if you
check daily, a slight move of position can sometimes correct this problem.
If I see a plant not doing well, before moving it, I loosen the soil a bit – maybe add a
bit of crumbled compost and give it a little water. New growth comes up eventually and
then I place the pot somewhere else, and wait to see how it responds. It will make all
the difference if you give each plant a bit of cosseting, checking that it does not sit with
bone dry soil before giving it a little drink, and making your own decision on where it
should be placed. Even if the pot label advises ‘full sun’, be cautious – as many of my
geraniums have suddenly drooped from their original beauty to something completely
miserable when I did so.

So … ‘Mr’ Virus who threatens our day to day living – and indeed life itself, cannot take
away the appreciation and joy of tending to a living plant showing growth under our love
and care. To busy oneself in the garden is a temporary daily diversion and it no doubt
gives solace to our souls!”

Basel Botanical Gardens, by S.C
pg17